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Riverdene Garden Centre

Gay Paree Peony

Gay Paree Peony

Regular price $35.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $35.00 CAD
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‘Gay Paree’ (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Gay Paree’) is a Japanese-style herbaceous peony prized for its vivid magenta-pink outer guard petals and a striking creamy white, frilly center of staminodes. This two-toned beauty adds an exotic yet classic look to the garden and makes a fabulous cut flower. It's also long-lived, highly cold-hardy, and relatively low-maintenance — perfect for prairie gardeners.

Key Characteristics

  • Botanical Name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Gay Paree’

  • Common Name: Gay Paree Peony

  • Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

  • Peony Type: Japanese form

  • Hardiness Zones: 3–8

  • Height: 32–36 inches (80–90 cm)

  • Spread: 24–36 inches (60–90 cm)

  • Bloom Time: Mid-season (usually early to mid-June in Zone 3)

  • Flower Color: Bright pink guard petals with a creamy white or pale yellow tufted center

  • Fragrance: Lightly scented — pleasant but not overpowering

  • Foliage: Glossy deep green; attractive through the growing season with good fall color

Sun Requirements

  • Grows best in full sun (6–8 hours/day)

  • Tolerates light shade, though flowering may be reduced

Soil Needs

  • Prefers rich, loamy, well-drained soil

  • Add compost or aged manure before planting

  • Avoid soggy or compacted soil

  • Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)

Watering Needs

  • Moderate moisture during growing and blooming seasons

  • Do not overwater — peonies don’t like “wet feet”

  • Water at the base to avoid fungal diseases

Planting & Spacing

  • Plant in fall (September is ideal for Zone 3) or in early spring from pots

  • Plant roots with buds (eyes) no more than 1–2 inches below the soil surface

    • Too deep = no blooms!

  • Spacing: 3 feet apart for airflow and mature size

Maintenance

  • Deadhead after flowering to keep plants tidy

  • Leave foliage intact until it dies back naturally in the fall

  • Cut back stems to the ground after frost

  • Apply mulch in late fall in Zone 3 to protect from freeze-thaw cycles

  • Divide only when necessary (every 10–15 years)

Fertilizing

  • Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring

  • Side-dress with compost as buds emerge

  • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote foliage over blooms

Pests & Diseases

  • Generally trouble-free

  • Watch for:

    • Botrytis blight (gray mold): avoid overhead watering and improve air circulation

    • Aphids on early shoots

  • Remove and discard fall foliage to prevent disease carryover

Wildlife & Companion Benefits

  • Pollinator-friendly – bees and beneficial insects love it

  • Ants are often seen on buds — harmless

  • Deer and rabbit resistant

  • Companion plants:

    • Catmint (Nepeta)

    • Allium

    • Iris

    • Salvia

    • Ornamental grasses

Garden Uses

  • Perennial borders

  • Cottage gardens

  • Cut flower beds

  • Standalone focal plant

  • Memorial or legacy gardens (peonies live for generations)

Special Notes

  • ‘Gay Paree’ has been a favorite for decades due to its unique bicolor blooms and excellent stem strength

  • Makes a wonderful cut flower — long-lasting and eye-catching in bouquets

  • Can live 50+ years with little care once established

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